Sunday, July 23, 2006

Hail The Emperor

Today is the 114th Earthstrong of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I. Give thanks for the 225th Royal descendant of King Solomon, Elect of JAH and Earths Rightful Ruler, according to the promise given unto David and those sitting on Davids Throne. Truly the Anointment he has received and his Divine Mind reveal Christ in His kingly character. The world is a better place for the Teachings of His Majesty and his instruction for the world to study the Bible and follow in the footsteps of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ). Selassie I fought for Truth & Rights with a special concern for his fellow Ethiopian and African people, but also for the world citizens of all nations. Selassie I restored hope in the Savior of all mankind and also revealed that JAH still speaks through His people. If one takes the time to study the life and works of His Imperial Majesty, the Defender of the Faith, they will find that Biblical Christianity and Orthodox Christian values are the Rastafari Way of Life. What better example of Rastafari life can there be than its namesake, Ras Tafari Makonnen, Haile Selassie I himself? JAH no dead! Blessed Earthstrong to I&I King, Haile Selassie I!

JAHsh

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Eliysha

Eliysha

Eliysha was a Rastaman
Yes he was a Rastaman
But the youths only mocked him
They all tried to stop him
And said
Go up, you baldhead...
Baldhead, you baldhead..."
And JAH sent bears to tear them to shred
Forty and two, all of them fools
Cause they dared judge a prophet
By the length of his hair
A fierce retribution without delay
Warning of the judgment in store
For the whole nation gone astray

Eliysha him come
Away from his family
Away from his town
Annointed as a prophet
Speaking word, power, and sound
With a double portion
Adopted as a son
Trained in wisdom
Given great Elijah's cloak
But the people think him a joke
Because he was a baldhead
A baldhead Rasta

God's knowledge and power
He was privileged to share
Setting his countenance in a stare
Humbling the wicked before him
Their hearts filled with fear
Yes a lion without a mane
But a Rasta still the same
Eliysha was his name
God is salvation, he was saying

Protected by an unseen host of Zion
Surrounded by horses and chariots of fire
A mystic man, truly inspired
Little impressed with material possessions
Caused a general to throw down his weapons
And praise JAH, yes that was Eliysha
Punishing servants of falsehood and greed
Performing all sorts of miraculous deeds
But still they wouldn't believe
Because looks do deceive
Oh yes, Eliysha was a baldhead

They never seen Eliysha divide river Jordan
Or heal the water of a spring
No, the people never knew a thing
But Eliysha was a Rastaman
Yes, he was a Rastaman
No dread, just a baldhead
They never seen him multiply bread
Or raise a woman's son from the dead
How he increased a poor widow's oil
This man, once a farmer who worked the soil
Turned a prophet, and caused the wicked to recoil

Who is Eliysha in this time?
I say, who is Eliysha in this time?
The people see and blind
Cause a Rasta heart is hard to find
But it reveals all the signs
Prophet a prophet, a Rastaman
Words of truth he speaks
Low and meek, not what people think
Locksman, beardsman, baldhead, or cleanfaced
JAH prophets walk in this place

Who made a lowly shepherd boy into a great king?
Who gave mankind dominion over all living thing?
Listen to Eliysha, "God is salvation"
The same one God of creation
So who is man to criticize and scorn
Another who may be shaved or shorn
He just may be a Rastaman still
May be a prophet sent to speak JAH will
Eliysha know, yes I say "Elisha" know
Check it in the Scrips, read up your Bible

JMC
7/11/06
(c) 2006

Monday, July 10, 2006

Tutto vero, gli Azzurri... Campioni Del Mondo!

Today is a historical day. A fourth star can be added to the logo of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio... that is the Italian Football Federation. I have been waiting for this day for a lifetime, or at least most of a lifetime. Italia has won the World Cup once again after many years, the first Italian victory since 1982 after some heartbreaking close calls. The Azzurri, Italy's national team named after the blue color of their uniforms, have been singing the blues instead, but that all changed today. Italy has now won the world cup 4 times: 1934, 1938, 1982... and 2006.

For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed watching the World Cup and rooting for Italy along with my family and friends. It is not just about soccer, football, or calcio as the Italians call it... but a rallying point for a culture and heritage that I share. It has been especially nostalgic this year because my trod with Rastafari and its own unique culture can sometimes overshadow my personal and ethnic roots. So I have been showing some Italian pride, and for this past month and a half I have been pouring over statistics and familiarizing myself with the athletes, or recalling veteran players from World Cups past... and the players I used to love watching who have retired from the game. I can remember in 1994, the final game was Italy vs. Brazil, and it ended in penalty kicks. Unfortunately it ended with Italy losing after Roberto Baggio, a great all-time player and one of my favorites to watch, had missed. In 1998 Italy was matched against France in the semifinals and that game went into penalty kicks as well... and Italy lost. In 2002, Italy didn't do too well, period. So you can imagine my anxiety as a fan when this final World Cup game ended in... penalty kicks. Yet, somewhere in the back of my mind I had the feeling that this could be the year... a great goal-keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, the confidence of a strong team, and the absence of France's star Zinedine Zidane after some bizarre head-butting. I was on the edge of my seat, barely blinking as the PK's proceeded. Minutes afterward... the game ended and the Azzurri, team Italia, had won. Satisfaction. I would be celebrating with the paisanos in Middletown, or Hartford... my good friend called me from Little Italy, NYC a few minutes ago... but I am enjoying the victory in my own way. Besides I am tired from being out the night before. Either way, Italy has won and I am extremely happy. Forza Italia!!

This was an exiting World Cup and not only for my own biased reason; the joys of victories, the agonizing defeats, the glory of the game. Other than my beloved Italy, I was following other teams and players as well. I was sad to see Trinidad & Tobago not advance to the second round, but enjoyed the way that they played. Ghana also played very hard, especially in the second round game against Brazil. USA, well maybe next time. The World Cup is such a great event, and truly on a worldwide scale. Now I will have to bide my time watching or reading about international friendly games and smaller tournaments while enduring another 4 long years for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I am glad to see it taking place there, I hope it does alot for the continent and brings more notoriety to the deserving African players who are continuing to become a forces to be reckoned with in the world of soccer. Now it is back to the real world, everything continues as usual... I'll miss the excitement of the games and the coverage, since there is barely any appreciation for soccer here in the States. Oh well, perhaps its for the best, so I can function like a normal person. But I still have a summer to soak in the Italian victory and be a FIFA fanatic. SI, TUTTO VERO... ITALIA, CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!! FORZA ITALIA, FORZA AZZURRI!!

JAHsh
The I-Talian Rastaman